INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO THE U.S. GROWS THROUGH AUGUST

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 4.3 million international visitors traveled to the United States in August 2005, an increase of almost 7 percent over August 2004. Arrivals were also up 8 percent for the first eight months of 2005 compared to 2004.

"International visitation to the United States continued to expand through August," said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink. "We recorded double-digit growth from several major markets, which is good news for the U.S. economy."

Highlights of August 2005 and Year-to-Date International Arrivals to the United States

• Canadian visitation grew 9 percent over August of 2004 and also for the first eight months of 2005 compared to 2004 (year-to-date).
  
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) rose by 11 percent over August of 2004. Overall, year-to-date arrivals were up 10 percent.
  
• Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 4 percent over August of 2004 and by 7 percent year-to-date.
  
• Visitation from Western Europe grew 3 percent over August of 2004 and was up 7 percent year-to-date. Double-digit growth in August arrivals was noted from Italy and Spain. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continue to grow, up 15 percent for the first eight months of 2005.
  
• Arrivals from the United Kingdom declined by 4 percent compared to August of 2004, although arrivals were up for the first eight months of 2005 over 2004.
  
• German arrivals grew 3 percent in August and year-to-date arrivals grew 8 percent.
  
• Visitation from Asia increased 5 percent for August and 6 percent year-to-dare. Japanese arrivals decreased almost 2 percent for the month, but are up 3 percent year-to-date. Japanese visitors accounted for 61 percent of all Asian visitors in the first eight months of 2005. Arrivals from South Korea and the People's Republic of China/Hong Kong grew by double-digits in August.
  
• Arrivals from South America were up 11 percent for the August and year-to-date. Double-digit growth in visitation was recorded from Brazil in August and the year-to-date, and from Venezuela in August.
  
• Travel from Oceania increased 5 percent in August and 10 percent for the year. Australia registered an eight percent increase over August 2004 and 10 percent year-to-date.
  
• Arrivals from the Middle East increased 3 percent in August and were up 8 percent for the year-to-date. Visitation from Africa increased by 7 percent in August.

To access the 2005 monthly arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit
http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2005-I-001/index.html.